Chapter 187: Wait a Moment
"Do you truly believe you're beyond my reach?" Nagato's voice echoed coldly through the chamber.
At that very instant, the overwhelming power of the Rinnegan surged violently, distorting the air around him.
Hatake Yusuke responded with a calm smile. "Still eager to fight, Nagato?"
His tranquil blue eyes suddenly flared with intense light, clashing directly with the force of Nagato's Rinnegan.
"What kind of eyes are those? And that tone of yours… is that how you address me?" Nagato asked, his voice calm, though inwardly shaken. He had never imagined anyone could go head-to-head with the power of the Rinnegan like this.
Yusuke slowly closed his eyes. "Opposing you? You flatter yourself."
When he opened them again, his pupils had transformed—two magnificent orbs glowing with ethereal light. The Tenseigan.
A crushing pressure erupted from his gaze alone, shattering the influence of the Rinnegan in an instant.
"Impossible…" Nagato's composure cracked, disbelief etched on his face.
"Nothing is impossible, Nagato. Don't forget—back then, you were already no match for me. And now… you're even further behind."
Yusuke's voice was calm, yet absolute.
Nagato and Konan both fell silent, realization dawning on them.
Even back then, when Yusuke was still young and his body hadn't fully matured, even when three of them fought him together—they couldn't win. Now, he stood fully grown, his power sharpened to perfection.
And Nagato, despite now wielding the Rinnegan, still couldn't bridge the gap.
"It seems you've finally realized it," Yusuke said with a slight nod.
Even without merging with the power of a Devil Fruit, even if he'd stopped training altogether, his potential alone would've been enough to outmatch Nagato now.
But he hadn't stopped training. His swordsmanship alone had already surpassed every swordsman across the One Piece world—even those hailed as "the world's strongest."
"I told you once, didn't I? Yahiko was far too naïve. Ambition without power… is just suicide," Yusuke said with a calm smile.
"Shut up! What would you know?!" Nagato snapped, his voice trembling with rage. "You'll never understand the pain of orphans—the pain of children crushed by war! You'll never know what it's like!"
"And why should I?" Yusuke replied flatly. "From the moment I was born, I understood one truth: the weak get devoured. Everyone's selfish. Me, you, all of us."
"Hmph! We're nothing like you!" Nagato barked, eyes burning.
"Oh really? Then tell me—why are you hunting down the Tailed Beasts? Isn't it because you believe sacrificing a few lives for the sake of peace is noble? You kill one to save a hundred. But that's just a murderer making excuses."
"They need to feel pain. Only then will they desire peace," Nagato said firmly.
Yusuke laughed—loud and sharp.
"You're laughing at me?"
"Pain, huh? And you think the Jinchūriki don't know pain? From the moment they were made vessels for those beasts, they were ridiculed, hated, tortured. If anyone understands the darkness of humanity, it's them!"
Yusuke stepped forward, his voice sharp as a blade. "You say sacrifice one to save many? Then let me ask—what if the one you had to sacrifice… was Yahiko? If he were a Jinchūriki—would you still call it justice, Nagato?"
Silence fell. Nagato and Konan both froze, their thoughts spiraling.
"Humans are selfish. Never pretend to be righteous. And don't you dare pass judgment on others just because of your beliefs," Yusuke continued quietly.
"N-No… That's not… Nagato isn't like that…" Konan whispered, turning to look at Nagato with pained eyes.
"Oh? Is that so?" Yusuke tilted his head, then narrowed his gaze. "Then, for the sake of my family, would you die for me, Nagato? If your death meant their safety… would that be acceptable?"
"Enough!" Konan shouted, her face pale.
"See?" Yusuke said coldly. "You haven't truly experienced loss. Then… let me help you understand it."
His gaze shifted to Konan—and in that instant, a suffocating killing intent filled the air.
"No!" Nagato lost all composure.
"For my family's sake… I have no choice. You wouldn't understand," Yusuke added, mimicking Nagato's past words with a mocking edge.
Nagato clenched his fists. Deep down, he knew Yusuke wouldn't actually harm Konan.
But that wasn't the point.
Yusuke had made his message clear. He, too, had something to protect. And like Nagato, he'd do anything to keep it safe.
Konan stood frozen, uncertainty clouding her eyes. For so long, she'd believed in their cause without question. But now… doubt crept in.
"So, you came here to stop me from collecting the Tailed Beasts?" Nagato asked at last, his tone steady again.
Yusuke met his gaze, silent for a moment. Then he nodded subtly.
In truth, he didn't believe Nagato was entirely wrong.
Nagato was simply walking the path he believed in.
Yusuke had no right to judge.
He raised his palm. A blue-green flame ignited in his hand.
"Flames of Undeath," he said calmly—and tossed the fire toward Nagato.
"Nagato!" Konan gasped.
But Nagato didn't move. He knew resisting would be pointless.
If Yusuke wanted to kill him, it would be over in an instant.
"Don't come closer, Konan. I'm fine," Nagato said.
A strange warmth coursed through his body. For the first time in years, he felt light—alive.
Konan stared in disbelief as his emaciated body began to heal. The rods in his back remained, but his skin no longer clung to bone.
The flame had revitalized him.
Nagato raised his hands slowly, staring at them as if they were no longer his own.
"Stop you from hunting the Tailed Beasts? Don't be ridiculous," Yusuke chuckled. "I'm not some hero. What happens to the shinobi world isn't my business. As long as my family's safe, do what you want. I just didn't like your tone earlier."
Konan gazed at him in silence. A strange glint flickered in her eyes—something between admiration and envy.
"If anything, shouldn't you be thanking me?" Yusuke added. "Didn't I just save your life?"
"…Th-Thank you," Nagato muttered.
Two simple words—awkward, unfamiliar… yet sincere.
Konan's eyes welled with tears.
Yahiko was gone. And since then, Nagato had called himself a god.
But when was the last time "God" ever said thank you?
"...Nagato," Konan whispered softly.
"Anyway. Don't forget what I said. Keep an eye on Uzumaki Naruto for me. He's your apprentice too, isn't he?"
"…What? He's Master Jiraiya's student?" Nagato's expression shifted, old memories flooding in.
"Wait a moment…" Yusuke suddenly turned serious.
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